Young farmers pick up awards
LEEK and Cheadle’s Young Farmers Clubs picked up a host of team and individual awards at the YFC County AGM at the County Showground last week.
The County AGM was attended by over 250 invited guests and members of the Federation and is the most prestigious meeting of the Staffordshire YFC year.
Richard Mottershead, gave his chairman’s report on last year of activities, saying: “It has been an absolute honour to have been the Staffordshire YFC County Chairman over the past 12 months.
“I don’t think I’ve paused or had a night off since being elected but I have loved every minute of it.
“Even before I began my year, I knew I had two things I wanted to achieve.
“The first was to hold a large charity campaign that involved the whole county. The second was simply to enjoy the year, getting along with as many members as possible in as many clubs as possible.
“Standing here now, I would like to thank each and every one of you for both getting behind the Oatcake on Tour campaign for Young Minds, and for making me feel so welcome at everything I was able to attend.
“Because of that, I am thrilled to say, I achieved my aims, and I couldn’t be prouder of the year we have had together.”
During Richard’s reported, he presented a cheque for £307 to The Farming Community Network following monies raised during the recently held Harvest Festival Service and then went on to announce that the final total raised for Young Minds from the Oatcake on Tour was £7,120. It was reported during the meeting that Staffordshire YFC has 680 members aged 10 to 26 who have benefited from taking part in charity work and playing an active part in their local communities.
In total this year, the clubs in Staffordshire raised more than £34,000 for worthwhile causes.
David Heminsley was elected as county president for the third year and Philip Bourne was elected senior deputy president.
The presentations of awards were made by Peter Stone, Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society Chairman, to clubs and individuals including:
David Palij Award (awarded to the club that has done the most for charity/community work during the last 12 months): Joint winners – Eccleshall YFC, Leek YFC and Stone YFC.
Manifold Marketing Award (awarded to the club who best promotes their club and engagement in Club, County & Community Events): Winner – Stone YFC; runner-up – Cheadle YFC
WHD Hobson Cup (awarded to the club with the highest increase in membership): Winner – Leek YFC, Runner-up – Cheadle YFC.
Newsletter Shield (for the best contribution to the Young Farmers’ Book of the Year): Winner – Leek YFC; runner-up – Cheadle YFC.
Junior Stockjudging Cup: The joint winners were Leek YFC and Lichfield YFC.
Intermediate Stockjudging Cup: The winners were Uttoxeter JNFU and runner-up was Waterhouses YFC.
The final awards of the evening are the most prestigious to receive, judged throughout the year as a “Club Efficiency” Competition, which encapsulates all aspects of a YFC Club.
Cheadle YFC’S Sarah Bourne was named Most Outstanding Secretary, while Greg Large was runner-up as Most Outstanding Treasurer.
Kat Clarkson, also of Cheadle, was runner-up in the Most Outstanding Club Leader category. Cheadle won the Club Efficiency Shield. David Heminsley, county president, said “Congratulations to Cheadle YFC, in their first year have wowed the judges with their enthusiasm, getting to grip with how a YFC club should run, work as a team and take a full part in YFC life and all that it offers.
“This club will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.”
If you are interested in joining a Young Farmers club, contact Julia Taylor, county organiser, on 01785 248645 or email countyoffice@staffsyoungfarmers.org. uk for more information, or visit www. staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk.
The evening was supported by Pickering and Butters Solicitors.